ST. CROIX (September 26, 2018) – The American Red Cross U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has deployed local Red Cross volunteers to North Carolina to help residents affected by Hurricane Florence.

Red Cross USVI volunteers Marjorie John-Pedro and Samuel Bass are currently on their way to North Carolina to assist with the relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Florence. Pedro will be supervising the Mass Care and Sheltering efforts as Bass assists with Disaster Assessment.

Pedro has been a Red Cross volunteer since 1996 and specializes in Mass Care and Sheltering. She believes in cross training and is also knowledgeable in Feeding, Case Work and Damage Assessment. For nearly 10 years, Pedro has been deployed to a disaster at least once a year to help families in need across the United States.

Bass is a retired High School teacher, who has been a Red Cross volunteer for six years. For three consecutive years, he has been deployed to a major disaster as a Government Liason or Disaster Assessment volunteer. The last time Bass was in the Carolinas was during Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

These individuals are just two of the more than 3,300 trained disaster workers that have deployed to help shelter, feed and support people affected by Hurricane Florence.

Red Cross volunteers are supporting different areas of service ranging from mass care, logistics, public affairs and government operations. The Red Cross has also deployed vehicles, equipment and relief supplies and will continue to do so for as long as the help is needed.

WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO

DONATE: The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

VOLUNTEER: Every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster in the community. Become a volunteer to help families impacted by local disasters, such as a home fire, flooding or hurricane by applying on redcross.org/volunteer.

Nearly 300 Red Cross volunteers deployed to the Virgin Islands to assist residents before, during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma. The American Red Cross U.S. Virgin Islands is calling on the community to now come together to help others in need. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please call 340-778-5104 for St. Croix or 340-0774-0375 for St Thomas and St John.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/USVI or visit us on Facebook at @RedCrossUSVI.